Why Rooftop Tent Value Still Matters
Rooftop camping has changed a lot over the years.
There are more tents, more features, more materials, and more options than ever before.
That’s a good thing.
But one thing I’ve always believed is that a rooftop tent should still deliver real value for the person buying it.
That idea has shaped a lot of what I’ve done over the years, from helping build CVT to later creating Cloud Nine Camping Company.
Why I Started Cloud Nine
When I started Cloud Nine, the goal was simple:
Build good rooftop tents at prices that made sense.
I wanted to prove that a tent could still have the features people actually use without pushing the price unnecessarily high.
That meant focusing on the things that matter most:
Comfort.
Durability.
Easy setup.
Useful features.
And a fair price.
For Cloud Nine, I set a goal of keeping tents around $2,000 or less whenever possible.
That experience taught me a lot about where customers see value and what matters most when they are choosing a tent.
Bringing Those Lessons Back to CVT
Now that I’m back with CVT, I have the opportunity to bring those lessons with me.
Cloud Nine and CVT have different histories, but the philosophy behind both is very similar:
Build gear people are excited to use.
Stand behind the product.
Treat customers well.
And keep value at the center of the decision.
That doesn’t mean every CVT tent will be under $2,000.
Different tents use different materials, designs, sizes, and features.
But it does mean that every product we bring forward needs to make sense.
If a feature improves the experience, it belongs.
If it doesn’t add real value, we need to question it.
More Choice, Better Value
One of the things I’m most excited about is giving customers more options.
Some people want a simple, lightweight setup.
Some want more room.
Some want a hard-shell tent.
Some want more features and comfort.
There is no single perfect rooftop tent.
The goal is to offer the right tent at the right price for the right customer.
That is where I believe CVT can be strongest.
What’s Coming Next
You’re going to see some familiar CVT ideas return.
You’ll also see new products and lessons carried over from Cloud Nine.
Most importantly, I want the buying experience to stay simple.
We’ll keep focusing on practical products, fair pricing, and helping people choose what actually fits their vehicle and the way they camp.
The CVT Family
One thing that has never changed is the community around CVT.
Over the years, customers became friends.
Families traveled together.
People shared campsites, stories, photos, and adventures.
That community is a huge part of what made CVT special in the first place.
As we move into this next chapter, that matters just as much to me as the products themselves.
I want CVT to continue being a company where people can ask questions, get real answers, and feel confident about the gear they buy.
Back to the Basics
At the end of the day, rooftop camping should be about getting outside.
Exploring somewhere new.
Spending time with family and friends.
And waking up somewhere you’re glad you drove to.
The gear should help make that easier.
That’s the direction we’re taking CVT.
Good products.
Fair value.
Real service.
And a company built around the people who use the gear.
Camp is where you park it.
— Bobby Culpepper
Founder, CVT
